Chinese premier urges solid workplace safety measures to prevent major accidents

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday called for solid and meticulous efforts in workplace safety to resolutely prevent and curb major accidents, and safeguard people's lives and property.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a national video conference on workplace safety. He noted that recent major and catastrophic accidents in some regions have caused serious losses to people's lives and property, highlighting the need for increased vigilance.

Li called for intensifying fire prevention, strengthening safety management of mixed production and operation sites, strictly regulating outsourcing, and cracking down on illegal subcontracting and re-subcontracting.

Emphasizing workplace safety in key industries and fields, Li urged efforts to strengthen whole-chain safety supervision of fireworks and firecrackers, carry out special rectification of coastal and river vessel enterprises, and enhance tourism and traffic safety management around the National Day holiday.

He also underscored accident prevention in sectors including hazardous chemicals, industry and trade, and construction.

The premier urged enterprises to comprehensively enhance workplace safety by accelerating the phase-out of outdated equipment and technological upgrading, and improving safety management systems.

Stressing the importance of raising public awareness of workplace safety laws and knowledge, and fostering a safety culture, Li also urged efforts in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, including monitoring and early warning, hazard inspection, duty shifts, and improving emergency plans so as to minimize disaster losses.